PREVIEW - AIFF PRESS RELEASE : Sporting Clube de Goa will host I-League debutant DSK Shivajians FC in their second game of the 2015/16 Hero I-League campaign on Sunday.

The Flaming Oranje lost their opening game of the season, 3-1, to Kingfisher East Bengal. The Kolkata giants trailed 1-0 at half-time courtesy of an Odafa Okolie strike, but a rampaging comeback in the second half inspired by Ranti Martins ensured that East Bengal beat their Goan rivals. Sporting were weak in their defensive organization, especially in the second half of the game.

Coach Mateus Costa accepted that his side was not up to convincing levels of quality against East Bengal but insisted that his side is looking to kick things on, “We lacked in defensive organization against East Bengal, they took their chances and we lost the game. We are now focused on DSK, we have worked on our tactics and our motto is to earn three points tomorrow” boasted a confident Sporting gaffer.

The Peter Vaz owned club has acquired the services of Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Denson Devadas, both defensive minded players, in a bid to fortify their defensive organization. However, the duo will not play a part in Sunday’s encounter.

Sporting will largely rely on the prowess of captain and poacher, Odafa Okolie to provide inspiration going forward. Eyes will be cast on the new look defensive partnership of Ravanan and Loveday Okinawa as well. Their opponents on Sunday, DSK Shivajians, are a largely unknown entity.

Not a lot of sides have watched the newbies play and hence opposition sides will find it difficult to prepare blue-prints, which is advantage for DSK.

Derrick Pereira, the DSK Shivajians' gaffer, spoke to journalists ahead of the game and stated that Sunday’s clash is an examination of sorts for his side “It is a test, definitely. But the players we have brought in are players I have known for a while. We have a good combination of youngsters and experienced players and we are looking forward to this season” Periera said.

The likes of Subrata Paul, Mohammad Rafi, Dohou Pierre and Zohib Islam Amiri are expected to be regulars in Derrick Pereira’s DSK, which will also feature some young talent.Hawk eyes will be cast on the Pune based franchise as they make their debut in the traditional Indian football league, but DSK will not have an easy time, with Sporting Clube de Goa on the prowl to grab their first points.